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All publicly recognizable characters, settings, plot, etc. are the
property of Guy Gavriel Kay. Any original characters, settings and
plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way
associated with Guy Gavriel Kay and no copyright infringement is
intended. This work is an amateur fan effort and no profit is being
made.

"Rodrigo, kindly stop this teasing and proceed!"

The words had been spoken quite loudly, but that should not have
mattered up here on the little plateau overlooking the valley. The
rest of the company was too far away to hear, and even if anyone
picked up the sound, they would most likely pretend that they were
not aware. Still, sound did not carry that well.

Or rather, it usually did not, Rodrigo thought in dismay as they
both listened to the echoes reverberate throughout the valley. For a
moment all movement down in the valley seemed to stop, and he thought
he could see them look up to them. The figure in blue and white that
had to be Jehane was looking too, and Rodrigo found himself at a loss
for whether to be embarrassed or amused.

"I take it this is why the valley is called the Valley of
Voices?" he asked, resting his head on Ammar's shoulder. He felt
strangely grateful for the high grass around them now.

He heard Ammar laugh quietly. "It is. Although I believe it
usually is demonstrated in slightly different ways."

Rodrigo tilted his head then so he could look at the other man's
face, his chin on Ammar's shoulder. "Is it."

A hand settled on his upper arm, slowly stroking his skin. "As
far as I am aware."

They lay in companionable silence for a little while, amidst dry
winter grass and travel gear. Rodrigo watched the little figures stir
again and return to their interrupted activities, the blue and white
one among them.

"Rodrigo," Ammar eventually said.

He looked at the other man inquiringly.

"I meant it when I told you to proceed, in case you have
forgotten about that."

Rodrigo raised his head. "Impatient?"

"As though you would not be impatient in my place!"

They both winced as they heard the echoes again.

"We need to find a better place," Rodrigo said, though he made
no move to get up. It felt good to lie together like this, in the
open sunlight and sheltered at the same time. "Or you need to be
quiet."

"I can be quiet," Ammar protested indignantly. "If you will
stop teasing."

"That's well, then." Rodrigo moved up for a kiss, then
leaned away to get at his saddle bag. "No more teasing," he
promised as he uncapped the small pot of salve, liberated from
Jehane's hospital supplies before they had left Ragosa.

He kept his word, as always, and did not draw out the preparations
beyond the necessities. No need to test Ammar's patience when they
could not linger here forever. Besides, it was not as though Rodrigo
did not share the other man's yearnings.

As they moved against each other, he covered Ammar's mouth with
a hand, grinning when the blue eyes narrowed.

"Just a precaution," he said. "In case you decide to be
vocal again."

Ammar bit his palm, hard enough to make him cry out in surprise as
he quickly withdrew his hand.

"They will have heard that," Ammar pointed out, breathless but
smug.

Rodrigo shot him an exasperated look, mellowing when he was drawn
down into a kiss. As effective as a hand, he discovered when the
pleased little moans were suddenly quiet and private, shared just
between them.

Afterwards, when they lay tangled together in the blankets,
Rodrigo thought of the valley again, and how well it carried what
should remain silent and unspoken.

"I have an idea," he said.

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